He's been tough and demanding on them and they've responded to the point where everyone in the organization has complete faith and trust in them.

"I do not even look at them that way [as rookies]," Hitchcock said. "I am demanding of them. I expect the same from them as I do from a 35-year-old. They are put in critical situations and answer the bell every game.

"The uniqueness of our first-year players is that they are all championship players. In big games, you do not have to come to the rink and worry whether they are going to compete or not. That's a given. That's a great security blanket a coach has.

"It's a good feeling on the bench when you can tap a young guy on the shoulder and not worry whether or not he is going to compete."

The Big Three earned their spurs last spring while carrying the Phantoms to the Calder Cup. The experience gained in that pressure-filled environment has served them well this season.

They've been major contributors to the cause and veteran teammates have taken notice.

"Everyone knows how good they are," defenseman Joni Pitkanen said. "Every young player gets better and better as the season goes on and they certainly have."

Pitkanen credits Hitchcock's handling for a lot of that.

"Hitch will let you know when you've made mistakes," admitted Pitkanen, who felt Hitchcock's wrath when he was a rookie. "He is a tough coach, which is good for a young player. He pushes you to play every night."

Michal Handzus said the veterans try to lend guidance.

"We support each other," Handzus said. "That's the main thing. The coach demands pretty hard but it's for the good of playing better.

"These kids have come a long way. They are scoring every game. It's not only one guy; all the rookies have picked up their game."

Hitchcock appreciates the way the rookies have quietly settled into the overall mix.

"They don't have big egos," Hitchcock said. "They fit in."

Carter, 21, admits he's finding a real comfort zone after a slow start created by mononucleosis and an ear injury that required 52 stitches.

"I think I'm feeling really comfortable out there," he said. "I have a lot of confidence right now. Our line has really been going great. Since Niko [Dimitrakos] got here, we've been together the whole time. So that has been a bonus."

Carter has been able to step things up against the great teams like the Senators and Rangers during the impressive winning streak of late.

"It's always nice to have a good opponent across from you," Carter said. "We know we need to come out with our "A' game."

This rookie crop has been doing just that, combining for 53 goals and 134 points.

Those are the best totals since the 1992-93 rookies combined for 52 goals (41 by Eric Lindros) and 149 points.

The Flyers' record for most goals (96) and points (258) by a rookie crop was set by the 1983-84 crew of newcomers that included Dave Poulin, Ron and Rich Sutter, Thomas Eriksson, Len Hachborn, Ross Fitzpatrick, Paul Guay, Dave Brown and Daryl Stanley.

Poulin was the big gun with 31 goals and 45 assists while Ron Sutter added 19 goals and 32 assists.

Another prospect that might work into this season's mix is center Ryan Potulny, the University of Minnesota star who is a Hobey Baker Award finalist after recording 38 goals and 25 assists for 63 points in 41 games.

Potulny ranked first in the nation in points (63), goals (38) and goals per game (0.93), tied for first in power play goals (17) and was second in points per game (1.54).

"He is more of a goal scorer than a playmaker," Paul Holmgren said. "He has an exceptional release and elusiveness, an ability to get open, in the offensive zone. He is one of those guys that has demonstrated at each level that he has played that he can score goals."

"He's going to stay with us," said Hitchcock, who wants Potulny to rest up after a demanding college season. "He looks like a very smart, skilled player. You can't have enough of those.

"The puck follows him around the rink. You don't score 40 goals in college by accident and have the numbers he's had. He has a gift around the net. If he looks like he can help us, there's no hesitation on our part putting him in."

There's a precedent there, too. Goalie Ken Dryden was a graduate law student at McGill University when he jumped into the Montreal goal in the spring of 1971. He went 6-0 in the regular season and then backed the Habs as they won the Stanley Cup.

Let's not forget the job turned in by Niittymaki, whose 22 wins are third most in team history for a rookie goalie.